- Construction starts in 2024, operational by 2026.
- The plant will process 21,000 tons of plastic into 20 million liters of pyrolysis oil annually.
- Xycle is a joint venture of NoWit, Patpert Teknow Systems, and Vopak.
- Xycle plans global expansion with plants processing 80,000 to 100,000 tons per year.
Project Overview
Xycle is set to begin construction of its first plastic recycling plant in the port of Rotterdam in 2024. The facility will convert 21,000 tons of non-mechanically recyclable plastic into high-quality sustainable raw materials annually. The Rotterdam Port Authority has leased a site at Rijndwarsweg in Europoort to Xycle for this purpose. The plant is expected to be operational by 2026, providing the chemical industry with a responsible alternative raw material for new plastics production.
Technology and Process
Xycle, a joint venture of NoWit, Patpert Teknow Systems, and Vopak, has developed a chemical recycling technique over 14 years. This process involves heating mixed plastic without oxygen, causing it to disintegrate into secondary raw materials of virgin quality. The technology has been proven effective, and Xycle anticipates receiving environmental and building permits by the third quarter, allowing construction to commence in 2024.
Global Expansion Plans
Xycle's ambitions extend beyond Rotterdam. The company aims to operate plants with capacities of 80,000 to 100,000 tons per year globally. The proven depolymerization technology is intended for worldwide rollout, with plans to establish several larger plants in various locations in the coming years.
Environmental Impact
Currently, less than a quarter of global plastic waste is recycled, with the remainder ending up in landfills, incinerated, or dumped. Xycle's technology offers a sustainable solution for processing difficult-to-recycle plastics, reducing the need for fossil raw materials in new plastic production. The plant is self-supporting, running on the fuel it produces, and significantly lowers CO2 emissions compared to incineration of mixed plastic waste.
